Shine a Spotlight on the Woodleaf Elementary Winners
By Teacher Sonja Nicolosi
The W.G. (Bill) Heffner VA
Medical Center held the annual
Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay
Contest. Students within RowanSalisbury School System were
invited to participate. The theme
for elementary was “What does Dr.
King’s Dream Mean to Me?”
Sonja Nicolosi’s third grade
students read books, periodicals,
and watched video clips of this
historical speech. The young
Woodleaf authors discussed and
reflected on Dr. King’s dream. Finally, each student
thoughtfully wrote about how Dr. King’s speech likely
impacted his or her life.
When the winners were announced, Woodleaf Principal
Susan Herrington immediately congratulated essay
contest winners over the intercom.
Sonja Nicolosi’s students won the third grade division.
Nayeli Hernandez won first place
John Robbins took second place
Linnea Rufty won third
Eli Guerrero-Carlos was awarded
Honorable Mention
The VA Hospital hosted an award
ceremony in the campus chapel.
Nayeli, Linnea and John read their
essays to proud family and friends,
school personnel and community
members at the VA Hospital. Amy
Huebner, ESOL teacher at both
Woodleaf and Cleveland elementary
schools, delivered Eli’s certificate as
he was unable to attend. Amy was
especially excited to celebrate the
accomplishment of the third graders
especially since writing is part of the curriculum with
ESOL students. Two of the four winners mentioned in this
article are served by the ESOL program.
The Rowan-Salisbury School Board recognized all essay
contest winners, elementary through high school, at their
meeting in January.
Congratulations to all contestants, and their school
support, for making meaningful connections to history.
Way to shine authors!
Parent Teacher Magazine • March/April 2014 • 11